                          
Finalia for Windows - Application Note

Additional Notes to Version 1.92
1st March, 1993
Issued by Ad-hoc Graphics, Ltd.

Copyright Notice

Program Copyright 1988-93 by Ad-hoc Graphics, Ltd. - All Rights Reserved

Application Note Copyright 1993 by Ad-hoc Graphics, Ltd. - All Rights Reserved

The information in this Application Note is subject to change without prior notice in order to improve design, functionality and reliability and does not represent a committment on the part of Ad-hoc Graphics, Ltd. The software described in this Application Note is furnished under a license agreement. The documentation contains proprietary information protected by Copyright. All rights are reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, transmitted, transcribed, stored in a retrieval system or translated into any language in any form by any means without the written permission of Ad-hoc Graphics, Ltd. Any unauthorised duplication or use of Finalia for Windows in whole, or in part, in print or any storage or retrieval system is strictly forbidden.

In no event will the developer be liable for direct, indirect, special, incidental or consequential damages arising out of the use or inability to use the product or documentation, even if advised of the possibility of such damages.

Introduction

In line with Ad-hoc Graphics' policy of ongoing product refinement, this document has been added to your Finalia for Windows package to describe Finalia enhancements, some of which take advantage of new capabilities in Windows 3.1 and new versions of some application programs which can be used in conjunction with Finalia. These features go beyond what is described in the Finalia manual. You do not have to use them, but you will find some of them useful. Please therefore browse this document before you read the manual.

Summary of changes

i. Simplified installation.

ii. Version 1.92 now offers EPS export with DCS 4-colour extensions for use with applications on both PC and MAC platforms.

iii. Line-art and De-screening functions have been added to the Scan function.

iv. Batch processing has been added to both file input and scanning.

Contents

1. Installation changes

2. Finalia 'DCS' file format

3. Line-art and De-screening scanner functions

4. Changes to individual menu items

5. Trouble Shooting

1. Installation changes

Installation has been simplified. All options are now installed into a single directory, FIN-192.

A Harware Security Key replaces the Software Security used previously. The Hardware Key is to be fitted to the Parallel Port of the host computer.

Note: Finalia for Windows 1.92 requires Windows 3.1. It will not run under Windows 3.0.


2. Finalia 'DCS' Support

The DCS five file format has been around for some time; the reason for its late adoption is that only recently have PC applications accepted this format.

In its basic form, the DCS file format is a standard EPS format containing a colour image header for screen display and high resolution PostScript composite image for colour/mono printer output. The EPS header includes four comment lines which direct the application's print driver to the high resolution CMY&K files when required to print 4-colour separations, ie producing final data direct from the application.

The Finalia DCS format includes several useful additions:-

2.1. 	An option to save the original RGB data and correction parameter file to enable users to make subsequent changes to the image, if required. This addition removes the principal limitation of the DCS format which is the inability to return to the original data.

2.2. 	An option to scale down (relative to the 4-colour files) screen and composite images to increase speed on the workstation and proof printer. This may cause the images to appear jagged on the screen display, but the high resolution data will not be affected.

2.3. 	An option to effect additional colour control to match the output from colour proof printers to the final 4-colour printed output, (SETUP/Set Proof Printer Gamma).

2.4. 	An option to include Finalia Moire free angle and raster information in the 4-colour files to eliminate Moire on final separated output.

2.5. 	Finalia PC produced DCS files are compatible with FreeHand (MAC & PC), PageMaker5 (Mac & PC), Quark (Mac & PC), and 3B2 Diamond (Mac & PC). Applications not accepting DCS can use Finalia's standard OPI method of separation or use of high resolutions Tiff and Targa files.

Note: Whilst Finalia DCS files can include Moire free angles and rulings, the rest of the page may suffer on PostScript Level 1 RIPS. To avoid Moire, you may use the 'Angles & Rulings' utility. This utility will display Moire free sets for your imagesetter resolution. A chosen set may be entered into the application's Print window.

3. Line-art Scanning and De-screening

The 'Line-Art' checkbox allows the user to scan line-art differently from continuous tone images. Line-art may be solid logos, or pre-screened, camera ready material where the screening is to be preserved. The following capabilities are included:

3.1.	There is a new tick box on the "Scanner Panel" which allows line-art scanning. When this is ticked, the Preview scan presents a low resolution greyscale image.

3.2.	After the area to be scanned has been selected, a 'Black-White' threshold box appears on the screen. This box displays the image in Black and White with a slider which allows the operator to adjust the point at which black switches to white.

3.3.	When scanning in line-art, the "Resize" dialog box is different from the normal scanning routine. Due to the requirement to output at approximately 1000 dpi, the resolution of the Output device is displayed, offering the user the choice of the Imagesetter resolution in factors of 1, 2, 3 and 4. The width & height of the image are based on the effective resolution.

3.4.	Effective resolution is the resolution at which the scan will actually be done for the output size. This should ideally be as close as possible to the selected Line-art resolution, however, once the magnification and lineart resolution have been selected, the user can roll the effective resolution up or down.

De-screening applies to printed colour material which is to be scanned as if it were a photograph, ie the image is to be re-screened which requires the original screening to be eliminated to avoid interference patterns on the final output.

The de-screen function is added to the standard colour or greyscale scanning functions when the De-screen box is checkmarked.

Note: De-screening may not work very well on low resolution scanners, or when applying a magnification factor to the original image.

4. Enhancements to Individual Menu Functions

4.1. FILES / OPEN

Batch processing: A new check box has been added to the Open File Dialog box to select batch processing. When checked the program will not immediately load the required file but will add its name to a .BFP file. It will also prompt for resizing, sharpening and saving information. It then returns to obtain the next input file name. To end a batch file, click on Cancel at the Open prompt. The .BFP file can then be processed (unattended) at a later date.


4.2. FILES / SAVE

Finalia Marker TIF files are now always colour. This precludes use with Ventura Publisher 3, but is compatible with Ventura Publisher 4.


4.3. FILE / SAVE AS

The drop-down file type selection list has been replaced by a set of radio buttons for greater convenience.


4.4. FILE / SCAN

Extra scanners:

Support has been added for the Howtek Scanmaster D4000 Drum, Umax (630, 840, 1200S), HP ScanJet IIc, and Agfa Arcus scanners.

Preview All:

This is particularly useful when scanning a series of small pictures which do not occupy the whole scan area. The result is a larger preview.

Batch processing:

A new check box has been added to the Scanning dialog box to select batch processing. When checked, the program will not immediately scan the required area after selection from the preview but will add its details to a .BFP file. It will also prompt for resizing, sharpening and saving information. It then returns to obtain the next area from the preview or to process the batch file.

Gamma adjustment of individual scans:

As each scan area is picked off the preview, an adjustment can be made to the scanner gamma curve. This allows for an optimum input to be obtained from both light and dark media. Note that the final colour balance is achieved using the colour balance controls after the image has been scanned in.

Cancelling:

During a preview scan, clicking on Cancel in the progress dialog box only causes the preview scan to stop. It does not terminate the scan function, which will continue as if the preview had completed.


4.5. FILE / PRINT FILE

Application program filters:

This version of Finalia is shipped with filters for the following application programs under Windows 3.1:

     Arts & Letters
     Archetype Designer
     Corel Draw 2 and 3
     Aldus Freehand 3.1 for Windows
     Aldus PageMaker 4 for Windows
     Ventura Publisher 4 for Windows

More filters are to be added. See "Setup / Add Filter".

Dot Gain:

Dot Gain is now called Tonal Response Compensation to reflect its usefulness when dealing with composite output devices which produce unsatisfactory colour output.

Adjustments to the compensation can now be entered in tabular form. For example, suppose a densitometer reads the density as 90% for a tint output at 70%, then the 70% entry in the table would be set to 90% to indicate this to the program which would adjust the graph to compensate.

Table entries are effectively a way to change the graphs. The converse is not true since it is the graphs that are stored and not the table entries. Graphs can be stored under different names for different printers.

Print media:

Due to the fact that Windows 3.1 PostScript drivers now offer custom media sizes, the option of overriding the media in Finalia has been removed to avoid confusion.

4.6. EDIT / LINE SCREEN

The line screen is now tied to printer resolution and offers relevant Moire-free angle sets.

4.7. TRANSFORM / SHARPEN

The sharpen graph now has a new (and more optimum) default shape.

4.8. VIEW / ZOOMS

There is now a Pan & Zoom function which displays an image at 1:1 scale and provides scroll bars for panning it if it does not fit the window.


4.9. ENHANCE / ENHANCE COLOR

A sensitivity slider has been added. This scales the effect of the R,G,B,C,M,Y sliders. Thus with sensitivity at 0% they have no effect. The default sensitivity setting matches the behaviour prior to the addition of this slider.


4.10. SETUP / ADD FILTER

Provision has been made, via this function, for automatic addition of new filters as they become available.

A new filter can be added in a directory that is on the path. Typically it will be added into the Finalia directory itself, by copying from an update disk. Finalia must then be told that the filter exists, via the Add Filter dialog box, whereupon it updates its internal list of known filters.


4.11. SETUP / MONITOR CALIBRATION

To calibrate your monitor in a quick and easy way, read in the file MONITOR.TIF via File / Open, make sure that the R,G,B graphs are linear, and that Preview in RGB is selected via the Mode box. Then adjust the brightness and contrast controls of the monitor so that the inset squares in the image are as far as possible indistinguishable from their surroundings.

Note: The Monitor.Tif file will not work correctly with graphics cards which include gamma 'correction'. If the Monitor.Tif file is not accurate after setting your monitor visually with the After.Tif file, check your windows drivers and select a driver with no gamma. If there is not a 'no gamma' option, do not use the Monitor.Tif file.

4.12. REDRAW

The image is redrawn when you click on "Redraw" on the menu bar. This is relevant with 24-bit graphics cards where Finalia does not regenerate the image in response to all changes because of the significant time that could be wasted in doing so.


5. TROUBLE SHOOTING SECTION


5.1. UPGRADING FROM A PREVIOUS VERSION

Install in a new directory (such as "C:\FIN-192") to ensure that there are no problems with Finalia initialising.


5.2. HARDWARE SECURITY 

If Finalia fails to find the Hardware Security Key, hold down the Control Key and press Z. This key combination will call the Security Selection Panel. Select the type of key you have, eg Rainbow Scribe or Scout, and click on OK.

5.3. FIN_KEY

If upgrading from previous versions, you may remove the Fin_Key command from your Autoexec.bat file as Fin_key is not required by the Hardware Key.

5.4. MULTIPLE COPIES OF FINALIA FOR WINDOWS

Although it is possible to simultaneously run multiple copies of Finalia under Windows, it is not possible to either (a) scan into, or (b) print from, more than one copy at a time.


5.5. FILE / PRINT FILE

Note: With Windows 3.1, do not print pages to disk from your applications using the EPS option in the PostScript print driver. To print to disk, either use the applications 'Print to file' option if available, or connect your printer to FILE: using control panel.

Some difficulties may be experienced when using Finalia Marker.Tif files with different combinations of versions of Applications and Windows PostScript drivers. 

If PrintFile fails then send the .PRN file to the printer so the postscript output can be examined.

If all fails, and the application will not accept Finalia EPS files with DCS extensions, use high resolution Tiff or Targa files and have the application produce the 4-colour separations directly. 

Note: When using high resolution files check that image correction in the application is turned off.

Note: To assist in producing Moire free output on PostScript Level 1 RIPS, the Finalia utility 'Angles & Rulings' may be used to determine a Moire free set of angles and rulings which may be entered into the Application's Print windows.

Line screen:

Angles and rulings are calculated from the resolution of the output device. If the output device resolution is not specified correctly, then an interference pattern, called Moire, will be seen on the final printed image.

Rotating images:

Avoid rotating images unnecessarily in Finalia as this can be a slow process. It is much quicker to rotate in a page makeup application.

Disk space usage while printing:

When printing hi-res contone images, some RIPs with limited disk space may have insufficient space to hold the data. If this is the case, check that the disk is not full of redundant font data before re-trying.


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